Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn rejects head coaching interview request

The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in the NFL over the last two seasons, and the coordinator tandem of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn has been an integral part of their success. 

Johnson's offense has been one of the most exciting and dynamic units in the league, but Glenn's defense has also been exceptional. The group has been ravaged by injuries this season and is missing multiple key starters, but still allowed just 20.1 points per game and 98.4 rushing yards per game in the regular season, both ranking in the top ten in the NFL.

Glenn has done an outstanding job getting the most out of his players and constructing game plans to stop potent offenses, and other teams are starting to take notice. The Texas native has gotten a ton of head coaching interest and interview requests this week but made an intriguing move on Thursday when an AFC team reached out for an interview.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Glenn declined a head coaching interview request from the New England Patriots and will talk with five other teams over the next few days.

Below is the list of franchises that will interview Glenn over the next three days via ESPN's Adam Schefter.

• Thursday pm: New York Jets
• Friday am: New Orleans Saints
• Friday pm: Las Vegas Raiders
• Saturday am: Jacksonville Jaguars
• Saturday pm: Chicago Bears

Glenn is using the bye week to his advantage and is getting a head start on head coaching interviews. The Lions clinched the NFC North and No.1 seed in Week 18 versus the Minnesota Vikings and have a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason due to being the NFC's top seed.

Glenn rejecting the Patriots' request for an interview is abnormal, but it could also be due to his busy schedule listed above and not having interest in New England's head coaching vacancy. The former NFL defensive back is a highly sought-after candidate, so turning down one team won't do Glenn any harm.